Category: Daily Whatevers

Today is the 4th December.

12 years ago I stopped wearing my uniform…leaving a life I loved most.

Where living on the edge was the order of the day – everyday.

I think it was sometime last year before Thaksin was ousted in a military coup that Singapore acquired the lease of the Udon Thani Air Force Base in Thailand’s northeast on the pretext of setting up a training base. Prior to that, when Malaysia announced that it was getting the Scorpense SSKs, Singapore immediately bought four used submarines from an European country. When Malaysia announced it was getting the PT-91 main battle tanks, Singapore bought Apache tank-busting helicopters – and when the Pt-91s were operational, Singapore bought used Leopard tanks from Germany. To counter our ASTROSS MLRS (multiple-launch rocket systems), Singapore has recently announced getting a similar system. Singapore already has a detachment of its air force fighter jets in Darwin, Australia, citing the lack of airspace for training.

Most recent, Singapore has come into a deal with India to lease two airbases for training purposes: for its F-16 fighter aircraft. Again citing the lack of airspace (Australia and Thailand must be really small). India jumped at this opportunity to learn more about the F-16, which is the mainstay of rival Republic of Pakistan Air Force.

So?

Well, the thing is, India is where Malaysia sends its technicians to train on the servicing and maintenance of its Sukhoi SU-30MKM air superiority fighters. And I am sure, Singapore is interested to know how the Indian’s SU-30MKI perform, so they can judge the tactics our SU-30MKM would have.

I still maintain that Malaysia should purchase more SU-30MKM (forget the stupid F-18 Super Hornets…they’re not half as good as the SU-30MKMs are), several more guided-missile frigates (FFG) armed with Yakhont SSMs., forget tanks but buy tank-busting aircrafts like the Mi-24 Hind or its newer siblings (I prefer the Mi-24 because they’re battle-proven).

If we cannot protect ourselves, then no way can we feed ourselves.

Oh, and promote Countloon to the rank of Major please. 😀

It was a great night. Friends from MUW and MDC were there, as well as other non-forum affiliated friends. Orange juice was free-flow, liquor…pay yourself. I won three lucky draw prizes: a t-shirt, a free course to upgrade from what level I am at now, and a free dive trip for two, full-board. Haha! That makes four Sipadan trips next year alone. Food was also great: so as not to offend anyone, so everything was lamb-based. Excellent!

Henry Batzer announced to the whole diving community of me, the “great friend and a very experienced technical diver” (what la you Henry…bikin malu saja…I know you read my blog from the registered IP…hahaha…but thanks, you are a great friend too!). Then Blackbear also told me how his diving friends in Phuket and Bali told him how “great” a diver and a friend I am…and almost every single dive shop owner knows of me and immediately gives him discounts. I think Ryzah was also told by Henry of “this diving legend called SeaDemon when she and I visited Scuba Dynamics before I went to Sipadan.

Met lots of friends: from MDC – Aaron, Vincent, Say Leng, Harfiezuddin, Kurt and wife Trisha, Scubaholics, Weng Ruh, Alice and others; friends from MUW – Martinjoe, Lord Nabil, Pisha, Comrade, Ikan, Snafu, Ridrahim, Momo74, Tulip (Marina), Miezegreat, Duyong, Alin, Kapal Selam, jgshuwei, Blackbear, MT Tank, Poisson, Deepblu, Spazm, Shafi, Shazay…and many others. PADI’s Regional Manager, Johnny Chew, was also there.

Okay, enough of that masuk bakul naik rocket.

After the whole thing ended, we all adjourned to Hartamas Square where Kapal Selam, Snafu, Blackbear and I discussed further about next year’s events. Miezegreat, Duyong and Tulip (Marina) took my camera and had a field day taking nasty pictures. Thank you, girls.

Thanks also to jgshuwei for the drinks. I drove back fine. It took me just 23 minutes to my house from Hartamas Square via Penchala Link.

Spotted here: Spazm (who’s diving in KK today), Shazay and Deepblu

With Trisha (she asked me to post this one and not the rest)

Blackbear and his nasi lemak carrier

Adik and I after a few rounds of spiked orange juice

Fried lamb meatballs, Sheperd’s Pie with minced lamb, Spaghetti with minced lamb

Marina (Tulip), Duyong and Momo74

With Spazm and Kurt (a.k.a Alopias, Trisha’s hubby)

These pics were taken during the Project AWARE on Mabul Island:

Seafarers

Gangster Kampung Pisang

Kids have no worries

Grounded

Peeping

Sharing

Had a gathering of like-minded friendswho share the same passion in life:

Nizar with Mior’s wife and son.

Azizul and Azrina

Hans, Gee and Mior

They said I don’t look well…

Will it?

It saddens me…

The dark skies, the falling rain
a reflection of my heart and its pain
the tired waves lapping at the sand
the sad state of an empty hand
everything is just wet and windless
as my heart is empty as it is lifeless
I can only pray for her to return
for it is for her that my heart yearns

I miss, love, and need you.

It is as if Perhentian does not want me to go back to heartaches and uncertainties…

It rains in Perhentian now as it does in my heart…